William j



W. J. CARD. THILL COUPLING.

Patented Dec. 23, 1884.

WITNESSES @mgwwd. A 9M .nw. S

NITED STATES FFIQEQ THlLL-COUPLINGL SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 309,762, dated December 23, 1884.

Application filed September 17, 1984.

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that LWILLIAM J. CARD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Olean, in the county of Cattaraugus and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Thill-Oouplings, of which the followingis a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings,in which Figure 1 is a top view of my improved thill-coupler applied to a section of an axle, with the thill attached. Fig. 2 is a side view showing the axle in cross-section, the clip, and

thill. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section taken centrally through the clip, and its extension, without the thill. Fig. 4 is a section of the capping portion removed. Fig. 5 is a top view of the elongated locking-washer. Fig. 6 is a section through the same. Fig. 7 is a top view of the thill-iron detached from the coup ling and shaft. Fig. Sis aside View of Fig. 7.

This invention relates to devices for connecting shafts to clips, wherein it is impossible to effect a casual detachment of the shafts from a vehicle; and the nature of my invention consists in a clip which is constructed with gripping portions for the thill or shaft iron having pintles formed on it.

It will be hereinafter shown that I not only dispense with bolts and their auxiliaries, but

I that I lock in a secure'manner the fulcra-pivots of the shaft-irons to the clip, which is applied to the axle, so that it is practically impossible that they can be casually detached.

I am well aware that it is not new to form pintles 011 thill-irons, and to use in connection therewith divisible extensions of clips, and therefore I disclaim such devices, broadly con sidered.

In the annexed drawings, A designates a clip which is adapted to embrace the axle B, and by means of its screw-threaded prongs a, clip-strap A, and nuts a a, to be rigidly secured to said axle.

From the front arched portion of the clip A projects a jaw, D. The peculiarity of this jaw D consists, first, in its horizontal surface (I; second, in a recess, Z), made centrally and vertically into it, the side lips,b, of which are preferably transversely perforated, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3, for a purpose herein- (Nc mothl.)

after explained; third, in a central elevation or lug, G, which is slotted longitudinally at c, and screw tapped vertically at a,- fourth, in a vertically transverse recess, d, terminating in an inclined depression; and, finally, in two semicircular hooks, d (1 which leave depressions (2 A counterpart of the said clip extension D, I denominate'a locking-cap, D, which is shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 4. This locking-cap is also peculiar in its construction, as will be seen from'the following description. Its body corresponds in width with the width of the'clip-extension D. Its narrow rear extension, Zfi, fits freely in the recess Z2, and it is rounded,as shown in full lines, Fig. 4, and perforated to receivea transverse pin,h. (Shown in Figs. 1 and 2.) This cap is thus hinged to the clip, so that it is free to be raised and depressed, and is not liable to displacement. Through this cap isa vertical recess, 0 which is elongated laterally, and adapted to receive through it the elevation or lug O, the highest portions of which latter are flush with the surface of the cap D when this cap is in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Into the upper surface of the. cap D recesses d d are made at right angles to the vertical slot 0 and in line with the slot 0 in the lug O, as shown in Fig. 3.

In front of the slot 0 is an upwardly directed slot, g, which has forits sides the downwardly-directed hook d WVhen the cap D is in its place upon the clip-extension D, the two hooks form an eye which receives the two cylindrical pintlc portions 0 c,which may form an integral part of the thill-iron E.

For the purpose of safely and positively securing the cap D upon the clip-extension D, I find it necessary to employ a locking perforated washer, h, which is slightly longer than the width of the lug (I, and which is adapted to fit into the recesses d d in the said cap, and the recess a in the lug C. By means of a screw, F, the washer h is firmly seated into its recesses in the position shown in Figs. 1 and. 2, and the coupling of the thill is completed.

It is obvious that an uncoupling of the thill can only be effected by loosening the screw F. raising the washer out of its recesses d d and 0, and turning it at right angles to the lug G If desired, a piece of hardened india-rubbe ICO or other spring may be compressed into the space 9 left back of the rounded part of the thill-iron E.

Having described my invention, I claim- 1. The combination, with a clip, of an extension, D, constructed with a screw-tapped lug, O, a posterior recess, b, and a half-hook bearing, (1, with a counterpart cap, D, re

the part 1), and a locking screw, substantially as described.

4. In a thill or shaft coupling, the combination of the following instrumentalities, to wit: a clip, a horizontal extension thereof having a screw-tapped 1ng,a recess, I), a recess, (1', hooks d", a cap, D, having a slot, 0 a recess, 9, a washer, 72/, adapted to fit into the recesses d and c, and a locking-screwF, all constructed to operate substantially in the manner and for the purposes described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

XVILLIAM J. CARD.

Witnesses:

P. K. SHEPPERD, L. E. GERRETY. 

